old boys at northrop united in friendly matchup

Thursday sees Stegman’s Old Boys travel to St Paul for an intriguing midweek friendly against MASL side Northrop United.

United (6-4-6), strongly challenging the top half of the MASL third division, will give the Old Boys (5-2-4) just the sort of stern test that they need to prepare for a daunting run of fixtures leading into the playoffs. And it will be a stern test, as United field a young and technically excellent side and have been solid in the challenging MASL.

For their part, the Old Boys will field a mix of first team regulars and triallists looking to make the fall season squad. “We’ll use this match to give some of the new faces a chance to show their stuff in a competitive fixture” said Manager Jon Bisswurm “though I do declare that we will take this seriously. The lads will be putting in a whole-hearted shift and absolutely the FIFA Lab will be employed in preparation, just like a league match.”

Polukeyev's creativity will be key against United

This is the first time the Old Boys will face a side from the MASL and, despite the SOBs not fielding the full first choice XI, the match should give a good yardstick as to the ability of this team and should allow creative players like “Gorgeous” George Hanscom, Robbie Peichel and Aleksey Polukeyev a chance to show their quality.

“We have a marked history of playing to the level of the opponent” commented General Manager Nick Sindt “as emphasized by the four draws already this season. A better oppontent should bring out the better in us. Maybe even the best in us, if we’re lucky.”

Kickoff is slated for 7:00pm at the University of Minnesota fields on Cleveland and Larpenteur in St Paul.